describe

verb

di-ˈskrīb How to pronounce describe (audio)
Definition of describenext
1
as in to depict
to give a representation or account of in words he tried to describe the dream he had last night as accurately as he could

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tell
to give an oral or written account of in some detail a biography of Washington that describes the decisive Battle of Yorktown at great length

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group how would you describe the Inupiat people you encountered in Alaska?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of describe The study described the importance of reducing stigma about cognitive decline, helping people care for their brains to decrease dementia risk and acknowledging the impacts dementia has on families and households. — Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Asked about previously describing the aftermath as losing more than half of his family — including Nick — Jake acknowledged that his brother’s arrest has compounded his grief. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Voters from Pennsylvania to California describe painful choices at the pump and grocery store, with many blaming Republicans and shifting toward Democratic candidates in some of the nation’s tightest House and Senate races. — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 During the trial, the defense called witnesses who described Clancy as a dedicated parent who suffered from extreme mental illness and was not properly treated by her medical providers. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
  1. depict
  2. tell
  3. characterize
  4. portray
  5. relate
  6. define
  7. illustrate
  8. recount
Verb
  • Golf equipment powerhouse Callaway ended its partnership with Good Good Golf amid the justified backlash over a video ad for a new Callaway driver that depicts a man aggressively shoving a woman to the ground.
    — Greg Cote August 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • And inside, the shoe’s insoles are printed with graphics depicting piles of beads — just in case the inspiration was lost on anyone.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of depict
Verb
  • The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in ​the capital on Saturday.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time.
    — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Phoenix characterized the chips, established the programming approach, and verified the resulting devices before delivery.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Blanche and the president have characterized those cases as politically motivated.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • By this reasoning, federal agencies must be allowed to complete rulemaking before judges intervene, and challenges to the order are portrayed as speculative attempts to stop reforms that could be crafted within constitutional limits.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Following his success on M*A*S*H, Alda continued playing a TV doctor on ER in 1999 and six episodes of The Big C, as well as portraying a psychiatrist on Ray Donovan.
    — Rachel Flynn, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of portray
Verb
  • The process can involve repairs across propulsion, electrical and combat-related systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Gennaro Tomma is a freelance journalist who covers science, with a focus on the natural world, biodiversity, conservation, climate change, environmental and science-related policies, and more.
    — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Made for pretty much every texture, the airy foam gives fine-to-medium hair body without weighing it down, while helping define and smooth thicker waves and curls without sacrificing movement.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Drone warfare has become a defining feature in the country's war, with both sides carrying out strikes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • As illustrated in this chart, following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, both WTI crude oil prices and US retail gas prices surged in tandem.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The agreement also illustrates a challenge facing advanced nuclear developers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • In Wyoming, Hammack recounted her recent visit with a group of manufacturing plant workers in Erie, Pennsylvania.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Traveler Ariana Patiño recounted her experience with the listings on TikTok.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of recount

Browse Nearby Words

descrambling
describe
described
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Cite this Entry

“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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